Alicia Pelton is the Program Director for Coaching HER at the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, with over 35 years of experience in youth sports as a coach, athletic director, program owner, and consultant. She is committed to advancing coaching education, leadership development, and equity in sport by creating opportunities for coaches to grow, lead, and thrive.
As a panelist for “Networking and Advice: Making a Career Move,” Alicia will share insights on navigating career transitions, building professional relationships, and positioning yourself for the next step—whether moving from youth to high school, high school to college, or stepping into leadership roles.
On the WeCOACH NextGen Panel, she will discuss cultivating confidence, creativity, and collaboration in coaching. Through her work building community and collaborating with organizations like National Governing Bodies, sports associations, and nonprofits, Alicia helps ensure that coaches have the education, support, and pathways they need to thrive. She believes that strong coaching cultures are built through mentorship, accessible learning opportunities, and systemic change at all levels.
Alicia holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University. She was instrumental in growing girls’ sports in Wisconsin and was inducted into the Janesville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
